A MUCH-loved attraction in North Yorkshire is in line for national recognition of its unique appeal.

Helmsley’s Walled Garden has been nominated in the third annual LandLove Magazine awards, which celebrate the very best of the British countryside.

The walled garden will battle it out, by public vote, in the Favourite Garden category against nine other horticultural wonders including English Heritage’s Audley End Gardens, RHS Rosemoor and the National Trust’s Buckland Abbey.

The garden originally dates back to 1759 but was lovingly restored in 1994 by local resident Alison Ticehurst, on a mission to revive the Victorian glory it had once enjoyed.

Set across five tranquil acres and located beneath historic Helmsley Castle, the garden, run as an independent charity, is tended by a dedicated team of staff and volunteers.

The garden also offers social and therapeutic horticulture, funded through the garden’s entry fees, helping to improve mental and physical health through gardening.

Marketing manager Tricia Harris said: “It’s such an honour to be shortlisted for Britain’s Favourite Garden, it really means so much to us.

“We are the only independent garden to make the shortlist and we have a tenth of the number of the visitors of some of the big gardens, as we are smaller in scale, so it’s a great achievement to get this far. However, we have high hopes our fans will show their support.”

Voting is open until January 3. Anyone wishing to vote can do so at landlove.com/awards